The theme of our fall event on October 28, 2020 is Innovating Through a Downturn. Organized in two sessions to accommodate our members in different time zones, we will have sessions on challenging assumptions, low barrier and inclusive methods for validating new ideas, and a series of lightning talks.  This event will also tee up a vote for our Leaders Circle members to select a new topic for LYRASIS Research Initiatives in 2021.  

Our keynote presentation titled “Lowering Barriers to Innovation: Getting from Idea to Pilot” will be delivered by Hassan Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of 4.0 Schools.  

Hassan will speak about his experience running an innovation incubator that has helped more than 1,000 educators test ideas with as little as $300. He will speak to us about how to go from idea to pilot – validating an idea quickly. This presentation will explore the mindsets and practices that foster innovation and how to assess cost as well as time-energy investments in innovation. The presentation will also touch on balancing rigor and speed and the potential to make innovation radically inclusive. The session will conclude with a discussion and opportunities for attendees to workshop ideas with Hassan live. 

This session is a must-attend for anyone advocating for innovation amid layoffs, furloughs, and budget cuts. Join us to find opportunities to innovate during the pandemic and how LYRASIS can support you in your pitches, planning and pivots.   

Speaker Biography: Hassan Hassan, Chief Executive Officer, 4.0 Schools 

Originally, from Sudan, Hassan (he/him/his) and his mother immigrated to the United States through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery. He was lucky to meet the age requirement that allowed him to access educational and career opportunities that his three older siblings couldn’t. This experience would later drive his deep commitment to dismantling barriers to social and financial capital. He went on to study electrical engineering and economics at Iowa State University. Prior to taking on the role of CEO, Hassan was 4.0’s Chief Operating Officer where he applied his analytical training to streamline 4.0’s systems, growing into the role after working as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Director. Throughout his tenure at 4.0, the organization has grown rapidly to a community of over 1000 diverse leaders who serve over a million students and families across the country. Previously, Hassan worked as a management consultant at PwC and Education Resource Strategies. He is a Pahara NextGen alumnus, Education Pioneer alumnus, and an alumnus of both 4.0 fellowships. 

Innovating Through a Downturn

October 28, 2020 

Session One: 12:30 pm – 3 pm UTC  
(find your local time | add to calendar) 

Session Two: 5 pm – 6:30 pm UTC 
(find your local time | add to calendar) 

About Leaders Forums  

Our Forums are smaller, nimble, gatherings to discuss, explore and workshop ideas, problems and potential solutions that might be funded by LYRASIS. Experts from the LYRASIS team and from the LYRASIS membership bring new concepts, trends and ideas to be round tabled. Our Forums are a unique experience where archivists, librarians, museum, and research representatives can sit around a table and discuss topics affecting their communities locally and globally. We have hosted 34 Forums to date, the most recent Forums have been virtual. The Forum output is shared and posted for discussion. This is open for all Leaders Circle members and by invitation for other. Forums encourage leaders, movers and shakers and those not willing to wait for change to convene and discuss the issues that matter to them.